The Book of Obadiah

Charles Savelle Center Point Bible Institute 1 THE BOOK OF OBADIAH Message: The short Book of Obadiah (the shortest in the OT) is an oracle against the nation of Edom. Like a number of prophetic books, it is both a book of judgment and a book of hope. Yahweh will judge Edom both historically through the nations and eschatologically through Israel. Along with the judgment of Edom will be the eschatological restoration of a Jewish remnant. Therefore, the message of Obadiah is, “Mistreatment of God’s people will be judged by Yahweh who preserves and restores His people.” Author: According to 1:1, the recipient of the vision (!Azx', ḥăzôn) is Obadiah (hy"d>b;[o). Obadiah means “servant of Yahweh.” The name itself was fairly common in the Old Testament with around a dozen men bearing that designation (1 Kgs 18:3–16; 1 Chr 3:21; 7:3; 8:38; 9:16; 12:9; 27:19; 2 Chr 17:7; 34:12; Ezra 8:9; Neh 10:5; 12:25). Little if anything is known about the author 1 other than his name. Recipients: The identification of the original recipients is tied somewhat to the issue of dating. While most would hold that the oracle was written to Judah, dating affects whether we are referring to pre-exilic or exilic Judah. Since an early date seems more likely, the original recipients are likely pre-exilic Israel. Dating: Perhaps the most contentious and difficult issue involved in the study of Obadiah is the issue of dating. Three basic suggestions have been offered: (1) during the reign of Jehoram (848– 841 B.C.), (2) during the reign of Ahaz (731–715 B.C.), and (3) in 585 B.C. (soon after the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586). Finley has noted that, “Three sorts of evidence have been presented for the date of Obadiah: historical allusions, its position in the 2 canon, and literary connections with other prophets.” 1 Some passages may suggest that the author “seems to be associated with the kingdom of Judah (Obad. 11–12, 17, –20–21).” Charles H. Dyer and Eugene H. Merrill, Old Testament Explorer: Discovering the Essence, Background, and Meaning of Every Book in the Old Testament, Swindoll Leadership Library, ed. general Charles R. Swindoll and managing ed. Roy B. Zuck (Nashville, TN: Word Publishing, 2001), 765. 2 Thomas J. Finley, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Wycliffe Exegetical Commentary, ed. Kenneth Barker (Chicago: Moody, 1990), 340. Finley also suggests that the historical evidence is “the most objective kind.” Charles Savelle Center Point Bible Institute 2 Historical allusions Utilizing the historical evidence is challenging in at least three ways. First, one needs to determine whether some passages are historical or prophetic (e.g., vv. 12–14).3 The form of the statements are in standard prohibition form. Notice how the NASB translates these passages as “do not” whereas the RSV has “you should not have.” The second challenge is the nature of historical allusions themselves. By definition allusions are indirect references. The third challenge is the poetic nature of the passages in question. These passages are not detailed historical reports but symbolic (e.g., “Jacob” in v. 10), highly selective, perhaps hyperbolic accounts. These challenges notwithstanding, one will have to wrestle with correlating these texts with what is known about Israelite history. The passages in question seem to refer to a military invasion of some kind. The question is what invasion of Israel is in view. Three invasions are commonly postulated. First, there was an invasion of the Philistines and Arabians during Jehoram’s reign (848–841 B.C.). In this case, Judah was overrun and the city of Jerusalem was plundered (2 Chr 21:16–17; cf. Joel 3:3–6; Amos 1:6). According to 2 Kings 8:20–22, relations between Edom and Judah were contentious (cf. 2 Chr 21:8–20). A second possibility occurred during the reign of Ahaz (731–715 B.C.). According to 2 Chronicles 28:17, Edom attacked Judah taking away captives. A third and commonly held option is the Babylonian invasion in 586. According to Psalm 137:7, the Edomites encouraged the Babylonians to destroy Jerusalem. The negative association of Edom to the Babylonian invasion can also be seen in Lamentations 4:21 and Ezekiel 25:12, 35:5–15. Deciding between these invasions is not easy and most commentators seem to gravitate to the first or third options (the second option is too obscure?).4 In favor of the third option (586) is the comprehensive nature of the invasion which appears to be pictured in Obadiah 10–14. The first option is appealing in that it fits the standard prohibition form5 and the mention of the “foreigners” (Philistines, Edom) casting lots for the city (cf. 2 Kings 8:20–22; 2 Chr 21:16–17). Perhaps the slightest of preferences should go to this option. Canonical Position Another piece of evidence that merits at least some consideration is the placement of Obadiah within the Book of the Twelve, or what we call the Minor Prophets. For example Wood suggests that Obadiah’s inclusion amidst ninth or eighth century prophets “would be strange if 3 Ibid. 4 Second Chronicles 28:17 does not mention the city of Jerusalem, or its destruction, only the carrying away of some captives. 5 As Baker argues, “The form of the Hebrew verbs in verses 12-14 (”you should not . .“) warned Edom against doing again what she had already done. Had Jerusalem already been destroyed, these commands would have had no meaning.” Walter L. Baker, “Obadiah,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: Old Testament, ed. John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck (Wheaton: Scripture Press Publications, Victor Books, 1985), 1454. Charles Savelle Center Point Bible Institute 3 Obadiah were written as late as the time of the exile.”6 It must be admitted that this argument’s persuasiveness depends upon the assumption that the order of the Twelve was chronological. But this is a tenuous position.7 That being said, neither can this piece of evidence be dismissed outright. Literary Considerations Commentators have long noted certain literary similarities between Obadiah and Jeremiah. These similarities are seen most readily in comparison to Jeremiah 49.8 Obadiah Jeremiah 49 v. 1 49:14 v. 2 49:15 v. 3 49:16 v. 4 49:16 v. 5 49:9 v. 6 49:10 v. 8 49:7 v. 9 49:22b v. 16 49:12 These similarities are part of the issue of dating since the date of Jeremiah is better established. Three options present themselves. Obadiah and Jeremiah could be using a common source. In this case, the similarities do not particularly help with the issue of dating. However, most scholars are not inclined to see a common source. So if literary dependence is involved then there are two options. Obadiah could be using Jeremiah or Jeremiah could be using Obadiah. Good arguments can be been made for both positions. Keil has argued for the priority of Obadiah (supporting an early date).9 Rabbe argues for the priority of Jeremiah (supporting a late date).10 In the end, the arguments tend to cancel one another out. But it should be noted that even if one were to accept that Jeremiah wrote first, this would not leave Obadiah very much time to write to fit within the time frame suggested by late daters. 6 Leon J. Wood, The Prophets of Israel (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1979), 264. 7 The arrangement of the Minor Prophets is a complicated issue. For a helpful examination of some of these issues see Barry Alan Jones, The Formation of the Book of the Twelve: A Study in Text and Canon, SBL Dissertation Series 149, ed. Michael V. Fox (Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1995). 8 Raabe states, “The closest parallels are found in Obad. 1–6 and Jeremiah’s Edom oracle, 49:14–16, 9– 10. Of the forty-three words in Obad. 1–4 (omitting the superscription and the opening messenger formula) twenty- nine occur in Jer. 49:14–16 (67 percent), and twelve of the twenty-four words in Obad. 5–6 appear in Jer. 49:9–10 (50 percent).” Paul R. Raabe, Obadiah: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary, vol. 24D, The Anchor Bible, ed. William Foxwell Albright and David Noel Freedman (New York: Doubleday, 1996), 22. 9 C. F. Keil, “Minor Prophets,” in Commentary on the Old Testament in Ten Volumes, trans. A. Harper, vol. 10. 10 vols. (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1982; reprint, [25 volumes in ten]), 340-1. 10 Raabe, Obadiah, 31. Charles Savelle Center Point Bible Institute 4 Conclusion As noted earlier, the issue of dating is a debated one. While earlier conservative exegetes tended to favor an early date, many today now favor a date after 586. What one decides concerning the date affects the interpretation of some of passages, but the overall message is not greatly affected. Nonetheless, we suggest that the early date is a better option. Historical Setting: The specific historical setting is somewhat dependent on dating. However, the general setting of the animosity between Israel and Edom is not debated. The longstanding nature of the animosity is also not debated. The acrimony has roots in a struggle between the twins Jacob and Esau in the womb (Gen 25:21–26). The problems were exacerbated with Esau trading his birthright (Gen 25:27–34) and Jacob’s deceptive theft of Esau’s blessing (Gen 27:1–45). There was a brief respite in the strained relationship when Jacob returned to Canaan (Gen 33).

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